INSOLE FOR AN ORTHOPEDIC DEVICE

• US 20150075030A1
• Filed: 09/18/2014
• Published: 03/19/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 09/18/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ossur hf
• Original Assignee: Ossur hf
• Inventors: WALBORN, Jonathan, KLUTTS, Zachariah J., ROMO, Harry Duane
• Granted Patent: US 10,939,723 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 36/44
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 1/0009 made at least partially of alveolar or honeycomb material
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 13/383 pieced
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 13/386 multilayered
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 13/40 with cushions
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 7/14 with foot-supporting parts
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 7/141 having an anatomical or curved form
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 7/1464 with adjustable pads to allow custom fit
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 7/147 for sick or disabled persons, e.g. persons having osteoarthritis or diabetes

Abstract

An insole for an orthopedic device includes a top portion including at least one top layer. The top layer defines a top surface arranged to be substantially adjacent a plantar surface of a user'"'"'s foot. A bottom portion is connected to and arranged opposite the top portion. The bottom portion includes at least one bottom layer. At least one removable element is arranged for removal from at least the bottom portion for defining at least one opening below the top surface. The top surface continuously spans over the at least one opening arranged for off-loading one or more affected areas of the plantar surface of the foot.

Claims

1. An insole for an orthopedic device comprising:

a top portion including at least one top layer, the top layer defining a top surface arranged to be substantially adjacent a plantar surface of a user'"'"'s foot;

a bottom portion connected to and arranged opposite to the top portion, the bottom portion including at least one bottom layer; and

at least one removable element arranged for removal from at least the bottom portion for defining at least one opening below the top surface, the top surface continuously spanning over the at least one opening arranged for off-loading one or more affected areas of the plantar surface of the foot.

2. The insole of claim 1, wherein the at least one top layer is heat formable such that the at least one top layer is shapeable to substantially match the shape of the plantar surface of the foot.

3. The insole of claim 2, wherein the at least one bottom layer is heat formable such that the at least one bottom layer is shapeable to substantially match the shape of the plantar surface of the foot.

4. The insole of claim 3, wherein the bottom portion includes an intermediate layer situated between the at least one top layer and the at least one bottom layer, the intermediate layer being resiliently compressible such that the intermediate layer compresses and rebounds between the at least one top layer and the at least one bottom layer as a user walks on the insole.

5. The insole of claim 1, wherein a thickness of the bottom portion is greater than about twice a thickness of the top portion such that the top surface continuously spanning over the at least one opening remains vertically above a bottom surface of the at least one bottom layer as a user walks on the insole.

6. The insole of claim 1, wherein the at least one bottom layer includes a high density resilient material such that the at least one bottom layer maintains the top surface a distance from a bottom surface of the insole as a user walks on the insole.

7. The insole of claim 1, wherein the at least one removable element comprises a portion of the at least one bottom layer.

8. The insole of claim 1, wherein the at least one removable element comprises at least a portion of the at least one top layer and the at least one bottom layer.

9. The insole of claim 1, wherein the at least one removable element comprises a plurality of removable elements arranged to move independently of one another.

10. The insole of claim 1, further comprising:

a retaining member removably attached to and positioned below the bottom portion, the retaining member arranged to selectively maintain the at least one removable element between the top surface and the retaining member.

11. The insole of claim 10, wherein the retaining member comprises a substantially rigid plastic member.

12. An insole comprising:

a top portion defining a top surface arranged to be substantially adjacent a plantar surface of a user'"'"'s foot;

a bottom portion connected to and arranged opposite to the top portion;

at least one removable element arranged for removal from at least the bottom portion for defining at least one opening below the top surface, the top surface continuously spanning over the at least one opening arranged for off-loading one or more affected areas of the plantar surface of the foot.

13. The insole of claim 12, wherein the top portion comprises a first layer defining the top surface, and wherein the bottom portion comprises a second layer connected to and arranged below the first layer, the second layer including a resiliently compressible material, and a third layer connected to and arranged below the second layer, the third layer defining a bottom surface of the insole.

14. The insole of claim 13, wherein the at least one removable element is arranged for removal from at least the third layer and the second layer for defining the at least one opening below the top surface.

15. The insole of claim 13, wherein the at least one removable element is arranged for removal from at least the third layer, the second layer, and a portion of the first layer for defining the at least one opening below the top surface.

16. The insole of claim 13, wherein the first layer is heat formable such that the first layer is shapeable to substantially match the shape of the plantar surface of the foot.

17. The insole of claim 16, wherein the second layer is arranged to compress and rebound between the first layer and the third layer as the user walks on the insole.

18. The insole of claim 16, wherein the third layer is heat formable such that the third layer is shapeable to substantially match the shape of the plantar surface of the foot.

19. The insole of claim 13, further comprising:

a retaining member removably attached to and positioned below the bottom portion, the retaining member arranged to selectively maintain the at least one removable element between the top surface and the retaining member.

20. A method of off-loading an affected area of a user'"'"'s foot, the method comprising:

providing an insole including;

a top portion including at least one top layer, the at least one top layer defining a top surface arranged to be substantially adjacent a plantar surface of a user'"'"'s foot;

a bottom portion connected to and arranged opposite to the top portion, the bottom portion including at least one bottom layer; and

at least one removable element arranged for removal from at least the bottom portion for defining at least one opening below the top surface, the top surface continuously spanning over the at least one opening;

removing the at least one removable element from at least the bottom portion of the insole to define at least one opening below the top surface; and

positioning the user'"'"'s foot on the insole such that an affected area of the plantar surface of the foot is substantially adjacent a portion of the top surface continuously extending over the at least one opening for off-loading the affected area.